From Rock Bottom to Ironman: My Journey to Sobriety and Strength

In 2011, my life was spiraling out of control. Alcohol had a tight grip on me, and I was drowning in its chaos. Back then, I was a parent to three beautiful children, but I wasn’t the parent they deserved. They saw me in the darkest years of my addiction, and had never witnessed me sober. That realisation hit me like a ton of bricks. I didn’t want them to grow up with a version of me that was broken, unreliable, and absent. So, I made the hardest and most important decision of my life: I chose to get clean and sober.

The early days of sobriety were grueling. I had to confront the pain I’d caused, the relationships I’d damaged, and the person I’d become. But I also had a powerful motivator: my kids. I wanted to be someone they could look up to, someone who showed them that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to rise again.

As I rebuilt my life, I discovered running. At first, it was just a way to clear my head and stay focused on my sobriety. But over time, it became something more. Running taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of setting goals. It gave me a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years. And then, almost unexpectedly, I found myself dreaming of something I never thought possible: competing in an Ironman.

Training for an Ironman is no small feat. It requires hours of swimming, biking, and running—grueling work that tests your physical and mental limits. But every time I wanted to quit, I thought about my kids. I thought about my youngest daughter, who had never seen me drink, and how proud I wanted her to be of her dad. I thought about the example I wanted to set for all of them: that no matter how hard life gets, you can always choose to fight for something better.

Crossing the finish line of my first Ironman was one of the most emotional moments of my life. It wasn’t just a race; it was a symbol of how far I’d come. From the depths of addiction to the pinnacle of endurance sports, I had proven to myself—and to my family—that transformation is possible.

Today, my youngest daughter Born in 2012, a year after I got sober, knows me as the Dad who wakes up early to train, who cheers her on at her sports days, and who is always there for her. She’s never seen me drink, and she never will. That’s a gift I give her every single day.

To anyone struggling with addiction, know this: recovery is possible. It’s not easy, and it’s not linear, but it’s worth it. For yourself, for your loved ones, and for the life you deserve. And to my 4 kids,  thank you for being my reason to keep going. You are my greatest motivation, my proudest accomplishment, and my most cherished gift.

Here’s to second chances, to resilience, and to showing up for the people who matter most. One Day at a time. 💪❤️